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{{Short description|2004 video game}}
{{About|the video game|the Nine Inch Nails album that uses this pseudonym|Pretty Hate Machine}}
{{Featured article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox video game
| image = Halo2-cover.png
| developer = [[Bungie]]{{efn|Additional work on the Windows version was done by [[Microsoft Game Studios]] and Pi Studios.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Matei, Robert |date=December 11, 2006 |title=Vista Halo 2 Plans Details |url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Vista-Halo-2-Plans-Details-42033.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406182631/http://news.softpedia.com/news/Vista-Halo-2-Plans-Details-42033.shtml |archive-date=April 6, 2011 |access-date=June 20, 2011 |publisher=[[Softpedia]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 3, 2007 |title=Halo 2 for Vista – Uplift |url=http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/halo-2/778206p1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031161259/http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/halo-2/778206p1.html |archive-date=October 31, 2019 |access-date=June 20, 2011 |publisher=[[GameSpy]]}}</ref>}}
|
| director = [[Jason Jones (programmer)|Jason Jones]]
| producer = {{Unbulleted list|Michael Bastien|Hamilton Chu|Curtis Creamer}}
| designer = Jaime Griesemer
| programmer = {{Unbulleted list|Charlie Gough|Chris Butcher|Micahel Evans|Ben Wallace}}
| artist = Marcus Lehto
| writer = [[Joseph Staten]]
| composer = {{Unbulleted list|[[Martin O'Donnell]]|[[Michael Salvatori]]}}
| series = ''[[Halo (franchise)|Halo]]''
| platforms = {{ubl|[[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]|[[Windows]]}}
| released = {{Collapsible list|title={{Nobold|November 9, 2004}}|'''Xbox'''{{Video game release|AUS/NA|November 9, 2004|EU|November 11, 2004}}'''Windows'''{{Video game release|AU|May 17, 2007<ref name="VistaRelease">{{Cite web |title=Halo 2 for PC – Release Summary |url=http://www.gamespot.com/halo-2/related/platform/pc/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418163344/http://www.gamespot.com/halo-2/related/platform/pc/ |archive-date=April 18, 2012 |access-date=February 2, 2008 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>|NA|May 31, 2007<ref name="VistaRelease" />|EU|June 8, 2007<ref name="VistaRelease" />}}}}
| genre = [[First-person shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
}}
'''''Halo 2''''' is a 2004 [[First person shooter game|first-person shooter]] [[video game]] developed by [[Bungie]] and published by [[Microsoft Game Studios]] for the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] console. ''Halo 2'' is the second installment in the [[Halo (franchise)|''Halo'' franchise]] and the sequel to 2001's critically acclaimed ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''. The game features new weapons, enemies, and vehicles, another player character, and shipped with online multiplayer via Microsoft's [[Xbox Live]] service. In ''Halo 2''{{'}}s story mode, the player assumes the roles of the human [[Master Chief (Halo)|Master Chief]] and alien [[Arbiter (Halo)|Arbiter]] in a 26th-century conflict between the [[United Nations Space Command]], the genocidal [[Covenant (Halo)|Covenant]], and later, the parasitic [[Flood (Halo)|Flood]].
After the success of ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', a sequel was expected and highly anticipated. Bungie found inspiration in plot points and gameplay elements that had been left out of their first game, including online multiplayer. A troubled development and time constraints forced cuts to the scope of the game, including the wholesale removal of a more ambitious multiplayer mode, and necessitated a [[cliffhanger]] ending to the game's campaign mode. Among ''Halo 2''{{'}}s marketing was an early [[alternate reality game]] called "[[I Love Bees]]" that involved players solving real-world puzzles. Bungie supported the game after release with new multiplayer maps and updates to address cheating and glitches. The game was followed by a sequel, ''[[Halo 3]]'', in September 2007.
''Halo 2'' was a commercial and critical success and is often listed as one of the [[List of video games considered the best|greatest video games of all time]]. The game became the most popular title on Xbox Live, holding that rank until the release of ''[[Gears of War (video game)|Gears of War]]'' for the [[Xbox 360]] nearly two years later. ''Halo 2'' is the best-selling first-generation Xbox game, with more than 8 million copies sold worldwide. The game received critical acclaim, with the multiplayer lauded; in comparison, the campaign and its cliffhanger ending was divisive. The game's online component was highly influential and cemented many features as standard in future games and online services, including matchmaking, lobbies, and [[Clan (video games)|clans]]. ''Halo 2''{{'}}s marketing heralded the beginnings of video games as [[blockbuster (entertainment)|blockbuster]] media. A port of the game for [[Windows Vista]] was released in 2007, followed by a high-definition remake as part of ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'' in 2014.
==
[[File:Halo 2 (screenshot).jpg|thumb|left|In-game screenshot of ''Halo 2'' for Xbox; the player character aims a shotgun at enemy Covenant.]]
''Halo 2'' is a [[shooter game]]. Players primarily experience gameplay from a [[First-person shooter|first-person]] perspective, with the viewpoint shifting to third-person for vehicle segments.<ref name="gamespot-review" /> Players use a combination of human and Covenant weaponry and vehicles to progress through the game's levels. Certain weapons can be [[dual wield|dual-wielded]], allowing the player to trade accuracy, the use of [[hand grenade|grenades]], and melee attacks for raw firepower.<ref name=manual /> The player can carry two weapons at a time (or three if dual-wielding, with one weapon remaining holstered), with each weapon having strengths in different combat situations. Most Covenant weapons, for example, eschew disposable ammo magazines for a contained battery, which cannot be replaced once depleted. However, these weapons overheat if fired continuously.<ref name=manual /> Human weapons are less effective at penetrating shields and require reloading ammunition, but cannot overheat due to prolonged fire. Players can [[Boarding (attack)|hijack]] enemy vehicles and quickly assume control of them. The player is equipped with a damage-absorbing shield that regenerates when not taking fire; their [[life bar|health bar]] is not visible.<ref name="manual">{{Cite book |title=Halo 2 Instruction Manual |publisher=[[Microsoft Game Studios]] |year=2004 |editor-last=Bungie}}</ref>
The game's "Campaign" mode offers options for both [[single-player]] and cooperative [[multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] participation. In campaign mode, the player must complete a series of [[level (computer and video games)|levels]] that encompass ''Halo 2''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s storyline. These levels alternate between the [[Master Chief (Halo)|Master Chief]] and a [[The Covenant (Halo)|Covenant]] Elite called [[Arbiter (Halo)|the Arbiter]], who occupy diametrically opposed roles in the story's conflict. Aside from variations in storyline, the Arbiter differs from Master Chief only in that his armor lacks a flashlight; instead, it is equipped with a short duration rechargeable form of [[active camouflage]] that disappears when the player attacks or takes damage.<ref name="xbox-thebigone">{{Cite web |last=McLain, Alex |year=2007 |title=The Big One |url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo2/spotlight14.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070706132208/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo2/spotlight14.htm |archive-date=July 6, 2007 |access-date=October 20, 2007 |website=Xbox.com |publisher=Microsoft Corporation}}</ref> There are four [[difficulty level]]s in campaign mode: Easy, Normal, Heroic, and Legendary. An increase in difficulty will result in an increase in the number, rank, health, damage, and accuracy of enemies; a reduction of duration and an increase in recharge time for the Arbiter's active camouflage; a decrease in the player's health and shields; and occasional changes in dialogue. Enemy and friendly artificial intelligence is dynamic, and replaying the same encounters repeatedly will demonstrate different behavior.<ref name="gamespot-review" />
=== Multiplayer ===
Like ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the Xbox version of ''Halo 2'' features a multiplayer system that allows players to compete with each other in split-screen and system link modes; in addition, it added support for [[Multiplayer online game|online multiplayer]] via [[Xbox Live]].<ref name=manual /> The Xbox Live multiplayer and [[downloadable content]] features of the Xbox version of ''Halo 2'' were supported until the discontinuation of the service in April 2010,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitten, Marc |date=February 5, 2010 |title=A Letter from Marc Whitten: Discontinuation of Xbox LIVE for Original Xbox Games |url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/Press/Archive/2010/0205-whittenletter |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115041606/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/Press/archive/2010/0205-whittenletter |archive-date=November 15, 2010 |access-date=April 16, 2010 |website=Xbox.com |publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref> with the final multiplayer session concluding May 10, almost a month after the service was officially terminated.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Good |first=Owen |title=The Last Man to Play Halo 2 on Xbox Live |url=https://kotaku.com/5535672/the-last-man-to-play-halo-2-on-xbox-live |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811213757/http://kotaku.com/5535672/the-last-man-to-play-halo-2-on-xbox-live |archive-date=August 11, 2011 |website=[[Kotaku]]}}</ref> In spite of the shutdown, Halo 2 is playable online again on the revival online servers for the original Xbox called [[Insignia (Xbox)|Insignia]].<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Kaan Serin |date=2024-03-15 |title=14 years after Microsoft shut it down, Halo 2 gets new public servers thanks to an unofficial OG Xbox Live replacement |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/14-years-after-microsoft-shut-it-down-halo-2-gets-new-public-servers-thanks-to-an-unofficial-og-xbox-live-replacement/ |access-date=2025-06-15 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-15 |title=Halo 2 Multiplayer Is So Back |url=https://tech.yahoo.com/gaming/articles/halo-2-multiplayer-back-190112528.html |access-date=2025-06-15 |website=Yahoo Tech |language=en-US}}</ref> Multiplayer for the PC version of the game used [[Games for Windows – Live]].<ref name="eurogamer-halo returns to PC">{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=December 4, 2019 |title=12 years after Halo 2 Vista, Halo is back on PC – with a bang |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-12-04-12-years-after-halo-2-vista-halo-is-back-on-pc-with-a-bang |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=April 11, 2021 |archive-date=April 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411160835/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-12-04-12-years-after-halo-2-vista-halo-is-back-on-pc-with-a-bang |url-status=live }}</ref> PC multiplayer servers were taken offline in June 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McElroy, Griffin |date=January 17, 2013 |title=Halo 2 PC servers shutting down on Feb. 15 |url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/1/17/3887486/halo-2-pc-servers-shutting-down-on-feb-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120104320/http://www.polygon.com/2013/1/17/3887486/halo-2-pc-servers-shutting-down-on-feb-15 |archive-date=January 20, 2013 |access-date=January 17, 2013 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref><ref name="pc support">{{Cite web |last=Tach |first=Dave |date=February 12, 2013 |title=Halo 2 PC multiplayer support extended through June, 343 investigating 'further support options' |url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/2/12/3981338/halo-2-windows-pc-multiplayer-extended-june-343-industries-bungie |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215080852/http://www.polygon.com/2013/2/12/3981338/halo-2-windows-pc-multiplayer-extended-june-343-industries-bungie |archive-date=February 15, 2013 |access-date=February 13, 2013 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]]}}</ref>
Instead of implementing multiplayer by having players manually join lobbies, as was common in games at the time, ''Halo 2'' used [[Matchmaking (video games)|matchmaking]]. Players chose the general type of match they want to play, and the game selected the map and gametype and automatically found other players.<ref name="polygon-halo 2 ruined">{{Cite web |last=Hopson, John |date=July 2, 2019 |title=The time I tried to ruin Halo 2 |url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2019/7/2/18651880/the-time-i-tried-to-ruin-halo-2-user-research |access-date=January 17, 2020 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=Vox Media |archive-date=April 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423103902/https://www.polygon.com/features/2019/7/2/18651880/the-time-i-tried-to-ruin-halo-2-user-research |url-status=live }}</ref> This "[[Matchmaking (video games)#Playlists|playlist]]" system automated the process of finding matches to keep a steady flow of games available at all times, and combined a skill-ranking system on top.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2007 |title=Halo 2 Matchmaking Overview |url=http://halo.bungie.net/stats/content.aspx?link=h2matchmaking |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615225057/http://halo.bungie.net/stats/content.aspx?link=h2matchmaking |archive-date=June 15, 2013 |access-date=April 25, 2012 |publisher=[[Bungie]]}}</ref>
== Synopsis ==
=== Setting ===
{{See also|Halo: Combat Evolved|Factions of Halo}}
''Halo 2'' takes place in the 26th century. Humanity, under the auspices of the [[United Nations Space Command]] or UNSC, have developed [[faster-than-light]] slipspace travel and colonized numerous worlds.<ref name="manual" /> Human worlds come under attack by a collective of alien races known as the [[Factions of Halo#Covenant|Covenant]]. Declaring humanity an affront to their gods, the [[Factions of Halo#Forerunners|Forerunners]], the Covenant begin to obliterate the humans with their superior numbers and technology. After the human planet Reach is destroyed, a single ship, ''The Pillar of Autumn'', follows protocol and initiates a random slipspace jump to lead the Covenant away from Earth. The crew discovers a Forerunner [[ringworld]] called [[Halo Array|Halo]]. Though the Covenant believe Halo's activation will lead to divine salvation, the humans discover that the rings are actually weapons of last resort, built by the Forerunners to contain a terrifying parasite called the [[Flood (Halo)|Flood]]. The human supersoldier Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 and his [[artificial intelligence|AI]] companion [[Cortana (Halo)|Cortana]] learn from Halo's AI monitor, [[343 Guilty Spark]], that activation of the Halos will destroy all sentient life in the galaxy to prevent the Flood's spread. Instead of activating the ring, Master Chief and Cortana detonate the ''Pillar of Autumn''{{'}}s engines, destroying the installation and preventing the escape of the Flood. Master Chief and Cortana race back to Earth to warn of an impending invasion by Covenant forces.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nylund, Eric |title=Halo: First Strike |title-link=Halo: First Strike |publisher=Del Ray |year=2003 |isbn=0-345-46781-7}}</ref>
=== Plot ===
''Halo 2'' opens with the trial of a Covenant Elite commander aboard the Covenant's capital city-ship of ''High Charity''. For his failure to stop Halo's destruction, the Elite is stripped of his rank, branded a heretic, and tortured by [[Tartarus (Halo)|Tartarus]], the Chieftain of the Covenant Brutes. Spared execution, the Covenant leadership—the [[Characters of Halo#High Prophets|High Prophets Truth, Regret, and Mercy]]—give the Elite the chance to become an [[Arbiter (Halo)|Arbiter]], a rank given to Elites in times of great crisis or turmoil. As the Arbiter, the Elite quells a rebellion and recovers 343 Guilty Spark.
On Earth, Fleet Admiral Hood commends the Master Chief and Sergeant [[Characters of Halo#Avery Johnson|Avery Johnson]] for their [[Halo: Combat Evolved|actions at the first Halo]], with Commander [[Characters of Halo#Miranda Keyes|Miranda Keyes]] accepting a medal on behalf of her deceased father, Captain [[Characters of Halo#Jacob Keyes|Jacob Keyes]]. A Covenant fleet suddenly appears near Earth. In the ensuing battle, a single ship carrying the Prophet of Regret slips through Earth's defenses and besieges the African city of New Mombasa. Master Chief assists in repelling the invasion. With his fleet destroyed, Regret makes a hasty slipspace jump, and Keyes, Johnson, Cortana, and the Master Chief follow aboard the UNSC ship ''In Amber Clad''. The crew discovers another Halo installation; realizing the danger the ring presents, Keyes sends Master Chief to kill Regret while she and Johnson search for the Index, Halo's activation key.
Responding to Regret's distress call, ''High Charity'' and the Covenant fleet arrive at the Halo. After Master Chief kills Regret, the Covenant bombard his ___location; he falls into a lake, where he is dragged away by tentacles. Regret's death triggers discord among the races of the Covenant, as the Prophets give the Brutes the Elites' traditional role as their honor guard. The Arbiter subdues Johnson and Keyes and retrieves the Index. Tartarus appears and reveals that the Prophets have ordered the annihilation of the Elites, and sends the Arbiter falling down a deep chasm.
The Arbiter meets the Master Chief in the bowels of the Halo, brought together by a Flood creature called the [[Gravemind]]. The Gravemind reveals to the Arbiter that the Great Journey is a lie, and sends the two soldiers to different places to stop Halo's activation. The Master Chief is teleported to ''High Charity'' as the Covenant falls into civil war. The Flood-infested ''In Amber Clad'' crashes into the city, and Cortana realizes that the Gravemind used them as a distraction. As the parasite overruns the city, the Prophet of Mercy is consumed. As for Tartarus, the Prophet of Truth consigns him to Halo with Keyes, Johnson, and Guilty Spark to activate the ring. Master Chief follows Truth aboard a Forerunner ship leaving the city; Cortana remains behind to destroy ''High Charity'' and Halo if Tartarus succeeds in activating the ring.
On the surface of Halo, the Arbiter joins forces with Johnson and confronts Tartarus in Halo's control room. When the Arbiter tries to convince Tartarus that the Prophets have betrayed them, Tartarus instead activates the ring, and a battle ensues. The Arbiter and Johnson kill Tartarus while Keyes removes the Index; the unexpected deactivation sets Halo and all the other rings on standby for remote activation from a place 343 Guilty Spark calls "the Ark." Meanwhile, Truth's ship arrives at Earth, and Master Chief informs Admiral Hood that he is "finishing this fight."
In a [[post-credits scene]], Gravemind assumes control of ''High Charity''. Cortana agrees to answer the Flood intelligence's questions.
==
''Halo'' had never been planned as a trilogy, but the critical and commercial success of ''Combat Evolved''—selling more than five million copies in three years<ref name="theringer-h2 retrospective" />—made a sequel expected.<ref name="eurogamer-better than halo" /> Xbox general manager [[J Allard]] confirmed ''Halo 2'' was in production at [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]] 2002, with a planned release in time for Holiday 2003.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Staff |date=July 2002 |title=Halo 2 Confirmed |magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine|Official Xbox Magazine UK]] |publisher=Future plc |page=20}}</ref>
Many at Bungie wanted to make a sequel, building on cut ideas from ''Combat Evolved'' with a more ambitious follow-up.<ref name="vice-untoldhistoryhalo" /> The added publisher support for a sequel allowed greater leeway and the ability to return to more ambitious ideas lost during ''Combat Evolved''{{'}}s development.<ref name="eurogamer-better than halo">{{Cite web |last=Fahey, Rob |date=April 11, 2010 |title=Better Than Halo: The Making of Halo 2 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/better-than-halo-the-making-of-halo-2-article |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100411122608/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/better-than-halo-the-making-of-halo-2-article |archive-date=April 11, 2010 |access-date=April 11, 2010 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |pages=1–7}}</ref> Not satisfied with merely adding back cut content to the sequel, designer Jaime Griesemer recalled that the team "tripled everything," rebuilding the [[game engine]], changing the [[physics engine]], and prototyping a system for stencil [[shadow volume]]s.<ref name="vice-untoldhistoryhalo" /><ref name="art of halo">{{Cite book |last=Trautmann |first=Eric |title=The Art of Halo |publisher=Del Ray Publishing |year=2004 |isbn=0345475860 |___location=New York}}</ref> The game's development would suffer from a lack of clear leadership. Early development discussions happened in small, unconnected teams that did not talk with each other. Bungie cofounder and project lead [[Jason Jones (programmer)|Jason Jones]], who had been exhausted shipping ''Combat Evolved'', similarly burned out during ''Halo 2''{{'}}s production. Jones left the project to work on another Bungie game, ''Phoenix'', leaving fewer people to work on ''Halo 2''. The departure of Bungie's cofounder [[Alex Seropian]] in 2002 caused additional friction and politics in the workplace where Seropian had once mediated tensions. Artist Robert McLees recalled that Bungie had never had good managers, with creatives simultaneously juggling managerial roles. "This kinda worked when there were 12 of us. It worked less well when there were 30 of us. It collapsed when there were 60 of us," he said later.<ref name="rollingstone_2024-11-10"/>
Writer [[Joseph Staten]] described the team's ambitions thusly:<ref name="vice-untoldhistoryhalo" />
<blockquote>Then we just plowed ahead, much like we'd done with ''Halo'', with one notable exception. We ordered ourselves a giant sandwich, took a bite but didn't realize exactly how big it was before we started in. And we did that across the board, technically, artistically, and story wise. But of course, we didn't figure that out until way too late.</blockquote>
Griesemer put it more bluntly: "What's the phrase? Putting ten pounds of crap into a five-pound bag? We really tried to cram it too full, and we paid the price."<ref name="vice-untoldhistoryhalo" /> Lack of communication led to some team members spending time developing assets or content that was duplicative or wasted. McLees recalled he spent two weeks developing a new weapon that was ultimately cut from the game.<ref name="rollingstone_2024-11-10"/>
An important feature for ''Halo 2'' was multiplayer using Xbox Live. Multiplayer in ''Combat Evolved'' was accomplished via [[System Link]] and had nearly been scrapped altogether in the rush to complete the game.<ref name="theringer-h2 retrospective" /><ref name="vice-untoldhistoryhalo">{{Cite web |last=Haske, Steven |date=May 30, 2017 |title=The Complete, Untold History of Halo |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-complete-untold-history-of-halo-an-oral-history/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315011247/https://waypoint.vice.com/en_us/article/xwqjg3/the-complete-untold-history-of-halo-an-oral-history |archive-date=March 15, 2018 |access-date=March 27, 2018 |website=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] |publisher=Vice Media}}</ref> Most players never played large maps, while a subset greatly enjoyed 16-player action, connecting consoles together with network cables for group play. "We looked at the small set of fans who were able to do this," said engineering lead Chris Butcher, "and just how much they were enjoying themselves, and asked ourselves if we could bring that to everybody. That would be something really special, really unique."<ref name="theringer-h2 retrospective" /><ref name="eurogamer-better than halo" /> Initially, ''Combat Evolved''{{'}}s multiplayer was supposed to involve larger maps and player counts than what shipped, and members of the team wanted to resurrect those plans for ''Halo 2''. The smaller multiplayer modes and local split-screen capabilities of the first game would have been removed. Designer [[Max Hoberman]] successfully argued against wholesale removal of a successful component from the previous game. He was put in charge of a small team to further develop the small-scale arena multiplayer, while the rest of the team developed a larger "Warfare" mode.<ref name="vice-untoldhistoryhalo" /> Bungie promised in previews that the core of this multiplayer would be squad-based online battles between human Spartans and Covenant Elites, with players able to call in airstrikes.<ref name="edge-no115" />{{rp|52}} Hoberman's pitch for ''Halo 2''{{'}}s arena multiplayer was to bring the fun of couch multiplayer online. As Hoberman was not an excellent video game player, he wanted to make sure the game remained fun for even lower-skilled players, rather than catering to the very competitive ones. The system of playlist matchmaking and allowing friends to "party up" to play games together were crucial to creating a global community of players.<ref name="theringer-h2 retrospective" /><!-- discussion of cut modes from Max Hoberman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1a1FzQ3bdQ -->
The story for ''Halo 2'' grew out of all the elements that were not seen in ''Combat Evolved''. Jason Jones organized his core ideas for the sequel's story and approached Staten for input. According to Staten, among the elements that did not make it to the finished game was a "horrible scene of betrayal" where Miranda Keyes straps a bomb to the Master Chief's back and throws him into a hole in revenge for her father's death; "Jason was going through a rather difficult breakup at the time and I think that had something to do with it," he said.<ref name="vice-untoldhistoryhalo" /><ref name="insidehalo2">{{Cite AV media |url=http://halo.bungie.org/misc/makingofhalo2mirrors.html |title=Bungie: Inside Halo 2 |date=September 2003 |publisher=Film Oasis |access-date=March 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928190919/http://halo.bungie.org/misc/makingofhalo2mirrors.html |archive-date=September 28, 2008 |url-status=live |format=mov |medium=Media DVD}}</ref> Staten and Griesemer discussed seeing the war from the Covenant perspective, forming the idea to have part of the game told from the perspective of a Covenant warrior known as the Dervish. Late in development, the Dervish became the Arbiter, after legal teams at Microsoft were afraid the game was sending a message about Islam.<ref name="vice-untoldhistoryhalo" /><ref name="dervish">{{Cite web |last=Kumar, Matthew |date=April 9, 2008 |title=Q&A: Englobe's Edwards Talks Gaming's 'Geocultural Risks' |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17985 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412201559/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17985 |archive-date=April 12, 2008 |access-date=April 1, 2008 |website=[[Gamasutra]]}}</ref>
In February 2003, Bungie began developing a gameplay demonstration for [[E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo)|E3]] 2003. The demo, which was the first gameplay seen by the public, showcased new enemies and abilities. Many elements of the trailer, however, were not game-ready; the entire graphics engine used in the footage had to be discarded, and the trailer's environment never appeared in the final game due to limitations on how big the game environments could be.<ref name="vice-untoldhistoryhalo" /> Elements like vehicle hijacking were entirely scripted, and in order to keep performance at an acceptable level, a Bungie staff member deleted objects from the game as the player passed through. The restructuring of the engine meant that there was no playable build of ''Halo 2'' for nearly a year, and assets and environments produced by art and design teams could not be prototyped, bottlenecking development.<ref name="eurogamer-better than halo" /> Griesemer recalled that development was "moving backwards", and after E3 the team realized that much of what the team had worked on for the past two years would have to be scrapped.<ref name="vice-untoldhistoryhalo" />
In order to ship the game, Bungie began paring back their ambitions for the single- and multiplayer parts of the game.<ref name="eurogamer-better than halo" /> All other Bungie projects, including ''Phoenix'', were cancelled, with their teams folded into ''Halo 2'' to complete the game. The campaign was completely rethought and remained unplayable for more than a year while the multiplayer was being developed. Ultimately, a third act of the game where Master Chief and Arbiter came together on Earth to defeat the Prophets was cut entirely. Staten hoped the resulting cliffhanger would be treated like the end of ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]''.<ref name="vice-untoldhistoryhalo" /><ref name="ign-history">{{Cite web |last=McLaughlin, Rus |date=August 20, 2007 |title=IGN Presents The History of Halo |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/10/ign-presents-the-history-of-halo?page=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141127111945/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/10/ign-presents-the-history-of-halo?page=2 |archive-date=November 27, 2014 |access-date=March 20, 2008 |website=IGN}}</ref> Planned vehicles, such as variants of the [[Warthog (Halo)|Warthog]] and an [[all terrain vehicle]], were scrapped.<ref name="edge-no115">{{Cite magazine |last=Staff |date=October 2002 |title=Prescreen Focus: Halo 2 |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=Future plc |issue=115}}</ref>{{rp|49}}
With the single-player mode in trouble, very little had been done with the large Warfare multiplayer mode. Eventually, the entire warfare mode was cut, and Hoberman's small team project became the shipping multiplayer suite.<ref name="vice-untoldhistoryhalo" /> Engineer Chris Butcher commented, "For ''Halo 2'' we had our sights set very high on networking. Going from having no internet multiplayer to developing a completely new online model was a big challenge to tackle all at once, and as a result we had to leave a lot of things undone in order to meet the ship date commitment that we made to our fans."<ref name="1up-does bungie hate halo 2">{{Cite web |last=Smith, Luke |author-link=Luke Smith (writer) |date=January 26, 2007 |title=Does Bungie Hate Halo 2? |url=http://www.1up.com/news/bungie-hates-halo2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019142721/http://www.1up.com/news/bungie-hates-halo2 |archive-date=October 19, 2012 |access-date=February 9, 2007 |website=[[1UP.com]]}}</ref>
As one of Microsoft's tentpole games, the publisher had two full-time user experience researchers managing a team of [[Game testing|game testers]] working on the title. The researchers used playtests, surveys, and [[usability testing]] to provide Bungie with input on how the game would be received. Feedback of the game's matchmaking system was very unfavorable, with the testers preferring the control offered by traditional servers. Researcher John Hopson recalled that while they suggested to Bungie they should change the matchmaking system, the developers remained steadfast their new approach would be better in the real world; Hopson later agreed with their choice, saying that his team had only narrowly avoided ruining the game.<ref name="polygon-ruining halo 2">{{Cite web |last=Hopson, John |date=July 2, 2019 |title=The time I tried to ruin Halo 2 |url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2019/7/2/18651880/the-time-i-tried-to-ruin-halo-2-user-research |access-date=March 9, 2021 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=Vox Media |archive-date=March 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304072740/https://www.polygon.com/features/2019/7/2/18651880/the-time-i-tried-to-ruin-halo-2-user-research |url-status=live }}</ref> To test real-world network conditions, Bungie ran a closed alpha of the multiplayer with 1000 Microsoft employees for five weeks.<ref name="gameinformer-no133">{{Cite magazine |last=Staff |date=May 2004 |title=Halo 2; Boot Camp |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |issue=133}}</ref>{{rp|4}}
Outside of Bungie, ''Combat Evolved''{{'}}s success had become a problem for ''Halo 2''{{'}}s development, as the success of the Xbox platform was riding on ''Halo''. Microsoft originally pressured Bungie to have the game ready as a launch title for Xbox Live in November 2002, which Bungie employees told them was impossible. At one point, Microsoft executives had a vote over whether to force Bungie to ship the incomplete game, or give them another year of development time. Microsoft Studios head [[Ed Fries]] walked out of the vote and threatened to resign to get Bungie the extra time.<ref name="vice-untoldhistoryhalo" />
Missing the Xbox's last holiday season before its successor console, the [[Xbox 360]], shipped was not an option.<ref name="eurogamer-better than halo" /> To hit its new November 9, 2004, release date, Bungie went into the "mother of all [[Crunch (video games)|crunches]]" in order to finish the game.<ref name="ign-history" /> "A lot of people sacrificed themselves in ways that you should never have to for your job," design lead Paul Bertone recalled. He kenneled his dog for nearly two months and slept in the office for the final days of development,<ref name="vice-untoldhistoryhalo" /> while artist Lorraine McLees took her baby to the office after day care ended as she worked the longer hours.<ref name="rollingstone_2024-11-10">{{cite magazine|last=Mercante|first=Alyssa|date=November 10, 2024|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-gaming/halo-2-bungie-development-1235157887/|title='Halo 2' Is A Classic, But Its Development Was A Mess|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=2025-05-20|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202190514/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-gaming/halo-2-bungie-development-1235157887/|archivedate=2024-12-02}}</ref> Griesemer said that this lack of a "polish" period near the end of the development cycle was the main reason for ''Halo 2''{{'}}s shortcomings.<ref name=Edge-interview /> Butcher retrospectively described ''Halo 2''{{'}}s multiplayer mode as "a pale shadow of what it could and should have been" due to the tight schedule.<ref name="Edge-interview">{{Cite magazine |date=January 2007 |title=Inside Bungie – Edge Online |url=http://www.edge-online.co.uk/archives/2007/01/inside_bungie.php |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070122073112/http://www.edge-online.co.uk/archives/2007/01/inside_bungie.php |archive-date=January 22, 2007 |access-date=February 9, 2007}}</ref> About 70 people worked on the game.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star/144618577/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402212350/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star/144618577/|title=The Fun's Just Starting|newspaper=[[The Kansas City Star]]|page=140|archivedate=April 2, 2024|date=November 7, 2004|accessdate=April 2, 2024|via=[[Newspaper.com]]}}</ref>
===Audio===
{{Main|Halo 2 Original Soundtrack}}
''Halo 2''{{'}}s soundtrack was composed primarily by [[Martin O'Donnell]] and his musical partner [[Michael Salvatori]], the team that had composed the critically acclaimed music of ''Halo''. O'Donnell noted in composing the music for ''Halo 2'' that "making a sequel is never a simple proposition. You want to make everything that was cool even better, and leave out all the stuff that was weak."<ref name="marty">{{Cite web |date=January 14, 2003 |title=Hedge Interviews Marty O'Donnell |url=http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/hedge_martyinterview.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070824004945/http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/hedge_martyinterview.html |archive-date=August 24, 2007 |access-date=February 9, 2007 |publisher=[[Halo.Bungie.Org]]}}</ref> O'Donnell made sure that no part of the game would be completely silent, noting "[[Ambient noise|Ambient sound]] is one of the main ways to immerse people psychologically. A dark room is spooky, but add a creaking floorboard and rats skittering in the walls and it becomes ''really'' creepy."<ref name=marty /> ''Halo 2'', unlike its predecessor, was mixed to take full advantage of [[Dolby]] 5.1 Digital [[surround sound]].<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |author-link=Martin O'Donnell |author=O'Donnell, Martin |year=2006 |title=Halo 2 Original Soundtrack: Volume One |publisher=[[Sumthing Distribution]]}}</ref>
In the summer of 2004, producer [[Nile Rodgers]] and O'Donnell decided to release the music from ''Halo 2'' on two separate [[Compact Disc|CDs]]; the first (Volume One) would contain all the themes present in the game as well as music "inspired" by the game; the second would contain the rest of the music from the game, much of which was incomplete, as the first CD was shipped before the game was released.<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |author-link=Martin O'Donnell |author=O'Donnell, Martin |year=2006 |title=Halo 2 Original Soundtrack: Volume Two |publisher=[[Sumthing Distribution]]}}</ref> The first CD was released on November 9, 2004, and featured guitar backing by [[Steve Vai]]. Additional tracks included various outside musicians, including Steve Vai, [[Incubus (band)|Incubus]], [[Breaking Benjamin]], and [[Hoobastank]]. The ''Halo 2 Original Soundtrack: Volume Two'' CD, containing the game music organized in [[suite (music)|suite]] form, was released on April 25, 2006.<ref name="ign-h2ost1">{{Cite web |last=D., Spence |date=November 9, 2004 |title=Halo 2 Original Soundtrack And New Music Volume One |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/09/halo-2-original-soundtrack-and-new-music-volume-one |access-date=March 16, 2021 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-date=October 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027211304/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/09/halo-2-original-soundtrack-and-new-music-volume-one |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ign-h2ost2">{{Cite web |last=D., Spence |date=May 6, 2006 |title=Halo 2 Original Soundtrack Volume Two |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/05/halo-2-original-soundtrack-volume-two |access-date=March 16, 2021 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-date=July 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729180801/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/05/halo-2-original-soundtrack-volume-two |url-status=live }}</ref>
==
===Promotion===
[[File:Halo2limitedcontent.jpg|thumb|right|Contents of the ''Limited Collector's Edition'']]
''Halo 2'' was officially announced in September 2002 with a cinematic trailer,<ref name="eurogamer-better than halo" /> scheduled for a Holiday 2003 release. The first major look at the game came with the E3 2003 demo in May; ''Halo 2'' was Microsoft's strongest showing at the event, and some journalists believed the game looked too good to be live gameplay and must have been a scripted cutscene.<ref name="ign-coveringhalo2">{{Cite web |last=Goldstein |first=Hilary |date=September 9, 2004 |title=Covering Halo 2: An Editor's Journey |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/10/covering-halo-2-an-editors-journey |access-date=January 14, 2021 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116120525/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/10/covering-halo-2-an-editors-journey |url-status=live }}</ref> After delays, the game was shifted to a first-quarter 2004 release, then to Holiday 2004.<ref name="ign-2004 date">{{Cite web |last=Boulding |first=Aaron |date=March 7, 2003 |title=Halo 2 in '04 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/07/halo-2-in-04 |access-date=March 9, 2021 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327070654/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/07/halo-2-in-04 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ion-fall 2004 date">{{Cite web |last=Staff |date=January 30, 2004 |title=Halo 2 Date |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/30/halo-2-date |access-date=March 8, 2021 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-date=April 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403213615/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/30/halo-2-date |url-status=live }}</ref> The final November 9 release date was confirmed at E3 2004, where the game's multiplayer was playable on the show floor.<ref name="ign-e32004postmortem">{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Douglass |date=June 9, 2004 |title=E3 Post Mortem, Part I |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/10/e3-post-mortem-part-i |access-date=March 9, 2021 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327070654/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/10/e3-post-mortem-part-i |url-status=live }}</ref> Microsoft executive [[Peter Moore (businessman)|Peter Moore]] rolled up his sleeve to reveal the date tattooed on his bicep.<ref name="venturebeat-peter moore bye">{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=April 14, 2017 |title=EA's Peter Moore says a fond adios to the game industry |url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/04/14/eas-peter-moore-says-a-fond-adios-to-the-game-industry/ |access-date=March 9, 2021 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |archive-date=May 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501083944/https://venturebeat.com/2017/04/14/eas-peter-moore-says-a-fond-adios-to-the-game-industry/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Douglass |date=October 11, 2004 |title=Halo 2 is Golden |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/11/halo-2-is-golden |access-date=March 9, 2021 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-date=May 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501084124/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/11/halo-2-is-golden |url-status=live }}</ref>
Microsoft intended to market ''Halo 2'' not just as a video game, but as a cultural event. Part of its widespread appeal would come from the social nature of the game's multiplayer, but Microsoft also heavily promoted and marketed the game. A trailer for the game was shown in movie theaters, making ''Halo 2'' the first video game so advertised.<ref name="theringer-h2 retrospective">{{Cite web |last=Agnello, Anthony |date=November 11, 2019 |title=When 'Halo 2' Invaded Planet Earth |url=https://www.theringer.com/2019/11/11/20958715/halo-2-anniversary-first-person-shooter-xbox-master-chief-history-i-love-bees |access-date=January 24, 2020 |website=[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]] |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218065943/https://www.theringer.com/2019/11/11/20958715/halo-2-anniversary-first-person-shooter-xbox-master-chief-history-i-love-bees |url-status=live }}</ref> Hype for the title was fueled by the press, with Microsoft telling one journalist that their ''Halo 2'' review would be the most consequential of their career.<ref name="ign-halo2_epilogue">{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Douglass |date=December 7, 2004 |title=Epilogue: Halo 2 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/08/epilogue-halo-2 |access-date=January 14, 2021 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115225502/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/08/epilogue-halo-2 |url-status=live }}</ref> The marketing heavily focused on Master Chief and the defense of earth, leaving the reveal of the Arbiter as a playable character a surprise.<ref name="denofgeek-halo2history">{{Cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Jason |date=November 14, 2014 |title=Halo 2: The History of a Controversial FPS Classic |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/halo-2-the-history-of-a-controversial-fps-classic/ |access-date=March 16, 2021 |website=[[Den of Geek]] |archive-date=October 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018191618/https://www.denofgeek.com/games/halo-2-the-history-of-a-controversial-fps-classic/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
''Halo 2''{{'}}s release was preceded with promotions and product tie-ins. There was a ''Halo 2'' Celebrity Pre-Release Party at E3 2004, in which a private home was transformed to replicate the world of ''Halo'', complete with camouflaged Marines and roaming Cortanas.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2004 |title=Hollywood's Hooked On ''Halo'' |url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/personality/guests/20041027-stars.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219010712/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/personality/guests/20041027-stars.htm |archive-date=February 19, 2007 |access-date=December 26, 2006 |website=Xbox.com |publisher=Microsoft}}</ref> Launch events were held worldwide, with players waiting for hours in a line that stretched two blocks in [[Times Square]], [[New York City]].<ref name="ign-timessquare_launch">{{Cite web |last=Brudvig |first=Erik |date=November 12, 2004 |title=Master Chief Lands in New York |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/12/master-chief-lands-in-new-york |access-date=January 14, 2021 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116092142/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/12/master-chief-lands-in-new-york |url-status=live }}</ref> The French version of the game [[Copyright infringement of software|leak]]ed on the internet in October, and circulated widely.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 2005 |title=Stolen! Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Halo 2 are the latest victims of theft |magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=196 |page=22}}</ref>
In addition to more traditional forms of promotion, ''Halo 2'' was also part of an elaborate [[Alternate Reality Game]] project titled ''[[I Love Bees]]''. Microsoft approached 42 Entertainment's Elan Lee, who had helped launch the Xbox with Microsoft, on producing a tie-in game.<ref name="theringer-h2 retrospective" /> ''I Love Bees'' cost an estimated one million dollars. The game centered on a hacked [[website]], supposedly a site about [[beekeeping]], where an AI from the future was residing.<!-- another sentence about what players did--> The project garnered significant attention, drawing attention away from the ongoing [[2004 United States presidential election|2004 U.S. Presidential Election]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Iker, Simone |date=July 23, 2004 |title=Halo 2 Trailer, ILB, Halo Done Quick |url=http://games.slashdot.org/story/04/07/23/1912259/Halo-2-Trailer-Gets-Subliminal-Halo-Done-Quick |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612023017/http://games.slashdot.org/story/04/07/23/1912259/Halo-2-Trailer-Gets-Subliminal-Halo-Done-Quick |archive-date=June 12, 2011 |access-date=March 29, 2007 |publisher=[[Slashdot]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Terdiman, Daniel |author-link=Daniel Terdiman |date=October 18, 2004 |title=I Love Bees Game a Surprise Hit |url=https://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2004/10/65365 |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710053650/http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2004/10/65365 |archive-date=July 10, 2011 |access-date=March 29, 2007}}</ref> The game won an award for creativity at the 5th annual [[Game Developers Choice Awards]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 10, 2005 |title=5th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_5th.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060326025405/http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_5th.htm |archive-date=March 26, 2006 |access-date=March 29, 2007 |publisher=[[Game Developers Choice Awards]]}}</ref> and was nominated for a [[Webby Award|Webby]] award.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peters, Steve |date=April 12, 2005 |title=I Love Bees Nominated for Webby Award |work=ARGNet: Alternate Reality Gaming Network | Your first choice for ARG news. |url=http://www.argn.com/2005/04/i_love_bees_nominated_for_webby_award/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619071811/http://www.argn.com/2005/04/i_love_bees_nominated_for_webby_award/ |archive-date=June 19, 2009 |access-date=March 29, 2007 |publisher=ARGN}}</ref> Ultimately, nearly 3 million people participated in the game.<ref name="theringer-h2 retrospective" />
''Halo 2'' was sold in a standard edition and "Limited Collector's Edition". The Collector's Edition includes the game, packaged in a metal case. It also includes bonus content on an extra DVD, such as a making-of documentary, art gallery, and audio tests.<ref name="inn-limited edition review">{{Cite web |last=Goldstein, Hilary |date=November 8, 2004 |title=Halo 2 Limited Collector's Edition |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/08/halo-2-limited-collectors-edition |access-date=March 5, 2020 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-date=December 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215212111/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/08/halo-2-limited-collectors-edition |url-status=live }}</ref> The instructional booklet is also written from the Covenant point of view rather than from the UNSC point of view used in the regular edition.<ref name="gamespot-review" />
===
''Halo 2'' first released on November 9, 2004, in [[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[New Zealand]], and the [[United States]]. Anticipation for the game was high; a record 1.5 million copies were pre-ordered three weeks before release.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thorsen, Tor |date=October 19, 2004 |title=Halo 2 hits 1.5 million preorders; mass midnight sales planned |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/halo-2-hits-15-million-preorders-mass-midnight-sales-planned-6110893? |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105030408/http://www.gamespot.com/news/halo-2-hits-15-million-preorders-mass-midnight-sales-planned-6110893 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |access-date=March 15, 2006 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref><ref name="cbc-birth of a nation halo 2" /> Massive lines formed at midnight releases of the game at more than 7000 stores across North America and attracted significant media attention.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Loftus, Tom |date=November 9, 2004 |title=Gamers go gunning for 'Halo 2' |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/6441598/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015174003/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/6441598/ |archive-date=October 15, 2014 |access-date=February 14, 2007 |publisher=[[MSNBC]]}}</ref><ref name="cbc-birth of a nation halo 2" /> This was followed by releases on November 10, 2004, in France and parts of Europe, and November 11 in the UK, Japan, and elsewhere; the game released in eight languages and a total of 27 countries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |date=November 8, 2004 |title="Halo 2" Invasion Causes Midnight Madness Frenzy |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/halo-2-invasion-causes-midnight-madness-frenzy |access-date=March 10, 2021 |website=[[Gamesindustry.biz]] |publisher=Gamer Network |archive-date=October 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021060326/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/halo-2-invasion-causes-midnight-madness-frenzy |url-status=live }}</ref>
The game sold 2.4 million copies and earned up to [[United States Dollar|US$]]125 million in its first 24 hours on store shelves, outgrossing the film ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest]]'' as the highest-grossing release in entertainment history.<ref name="cbc-birth of a nation halo 2">{{Cite web |last=Bolton, Greg |date=January 14, 2005 |title=Birth of a Nation; The genius marketing campaign behind Halo 2 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/arts/media/halo.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017062000/http://www.cbc.ca/arts/media/halo.html |archive-date=October 17, 2010 |website=[[CBC.ca]] |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thorsen, Tor |date=November 10, 2004 |title=Microsoft raises estimated first-day Halo 2 sales to $125 million-plus |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/microsoft-raises-estimated-first-day-halo-2-sales-to-125-million-plus-6112915? |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203033402/http://www.gamespot.com/news/microsoft-raises-estimated-first-day-halo-2-sales-to-125-million-plus-6112915 |archive-date=February 3, 2012 |access-date=March 15, 2006 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> The game sold 260,000 units in the [[United Kingdom]] in its first week, making it the third fastest-selling title in that territory.<ref name=best-selling/> It ultimately received a "Double Platinum" sales award from the [[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] (ELSPA),<ref name="dpelspa">{{Cite web |title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Double Platinum |url=http://www.elspa.com:80/?i=3945 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520070249/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3945 |archive-date=May 20, 2009 |website=[[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]]}}</ref> indicating sales of at least 600,000 copies in the United Kingdom.<ref name="gamasutrasales">{{Cite web |last=Caoili, Eric |date=November 26, 2008 |title=ELSPA: ''Wii Fit'', ''Mario Kart'' Reach Diamond Status In UK |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063107/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |archive-date=September 18, 2017 |website=[[Gamasutra]]}}</ref> In the United States, it was the second best-selling [[2004 in video games|game of 2004]] (after ''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]'') with sales of {{nowrap|4.2 million}} that year,<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Bellavista |first1=Paolo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d0ErBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA1200 |title=The Handbook of Mobile Middleware |last2=Corradi |first2=Antonio |date=April 19, 2016 |publisher=[[CRC Press]] |isbn=978-1-4200-1315-3 |page=1200 |access-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327070654/https://books.google.com/books?id=d0ErBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA1200 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 18, 2005 |title=NPD: $9.9 billion worth of console games sold in 2004 |work=[[GameSpot]] |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/npd-99-billion-worth-of-console-games-sold-in-2004/1100-6116499/ |access-date=February 13, 2021 |archive-date=February 24, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224041447/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6116499.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Garnett |title=Videogame Sales Total $9.9 Billion in 2004 |work=[[1UP.com]] |url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3137806 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050210043723/http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3137806 |archive-date=February 10, 2005}}</ref> and the eighteenth best-selling game of the [[2000s]] decade.<ref>{{cite web|author=Grubb, Jeff|date=January 16, 2020|url=https://venturebeat.com/business/the-top-20-best-selling-games-of-the-decade-in-the-u-s/|title=NPD: The top 20 best-selling games of the decade in the U.S.|website=[[VentureBeat]]|access-date=November 29, 2024}}</ref>
On release, ''Halo 2'' was the most popular video game on Xbox Live,<ref name="halo2mostplayed">{{Cite web |date=February 21, 2006 |title=Halo 2 tops Live most-played list |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news210206xboxlivetopten |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627230527/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news210206xboxlivetopten |archive-date=June 27, 2012 |access-date=December 10, 2006 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |publisher=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref> holding that rank until the release of ''[[Gears of War (video game)|Gears of War]]'' for the [[Xbox 360]] nearly two years later.<ref name="gearsofwaroustshalo2">{{Cite web |last=Gibson, Ellie |date=November 20, 2006 |title=Gears of War ousts Halo |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/gears-of-war-takes-top-spot-in-xbox-live-chart |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009185302/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/gears-of-war-takes-top-spot-in-xbox-live-chart |archive-date=October 9, 2008 |access-date=December 22, 2006 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |publisher=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 1, 2007 |title=Halo 3: Does It Live Up To The Hype? |url=http://news.sky.com/story/542769/halo-3-does-it-live-up-to-the-hype |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010140017/http://news.sky.com/story/542769/halo-3-does-it-live-up-to-the-hype |archive-date=October 10, 2012 |access-date=April 30, 2009 |publisher=[[Sky News]]}}</ref> In the first ten weeks of release, players collectively logged 91 million hours playing the game;<ref name="time_2005-04-18">{{cite magazine|url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1972656_1972696_1973320,00.html|title=The Halo Trinity|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|last=Grossman|first=Lev|date=April 18, 2005|access-date=November 19, 2021|archive-date=October 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021023851/http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1972656_1972696_1973320,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=O'Connor, Frank|title=Halo: Contact Harvest|url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12430|date=May 10, 2007| work=[[Bungie]]|access-date=November 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822160103/http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12430|archive-date=August 22, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> by June 2006, more than 500 million games of ''Halo 2'' had been played, and more than 710 million hours logged on Xbox Live.<ref name="halfbil">{{Cite web |last=Zaharov-Reutt, Alex |date=March 8, 2007 |title=Xbox LIVE: 6 million users and counting – thumbs nose at PS3, Wii |url=http://www.itwire.com/your-it-news/entertainment/10249-xbox-live-6-million-users-and-counting-thumbs-nose-at-ps3-wii |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100801214218/http://www.itwire.com/your-it-news/entertainment/10249-xbox-live-6-million-users-and-counting-thumbs-nose-at-ps3-wii |archive-date=August 1, 2010 |access-date=March 19, 2007 |publisher=iTWire}}</ref> Over five million players had played by 2007.<ref name="5bil">{{Cite web |last=Wolfson, Roger |date=May 9, 2007 |title=Halo 2 hits 5 million players! |url=http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=news&cid=12425 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714131531/http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=news&cid=12425 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |access-date=May 13, 2007 |publisher=[[Bungie]]}}</ref> ''Halo 2'' is the [[List of best-selling Xbox video games|best-selling first-generation Xbox game]]<ref name="best-selling">{{Cite news |last=Moses, Asher |date=August 30, 2007 |title=Prepare for all-out war |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/biztech/prepare-for-allout-war/2007/08/30/1188067256196.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106053430/http://www.smh.com.au/news/biztech/prepare-for-allout-war/2007/08/30/1188067256196.html |archive-date=November 6, 2012}}</ref> with at least 6.3 million copies sold in the United States and 8.46 million copies in total.<ref name="USsales">{{Cite news |last=Sidener, Jonathan |date=September 25, 2007 |title=Microsoft pins Xbox 360 hopes on 'Halo 3' sales |work=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] |url=http://legacy.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20070925-9999-1n25halo.html |url-status=dead |access-date=October 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522103658/http://legacy.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20070925-9999-1n25halo.html |archive-date=May 22, 2012}}</ref>
== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| PC = true
| XBOX = true
| na = true
| MC_PC 72/100<ref name="metacritic_pc">{{Cite web |title=Halo 2 (PC) |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/halo-2/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025150916/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/halo-2 |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |access-date=December 23, 2012 |website=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref>
| MC_XBOX = 95/100<ref name="metacritic" />
| 1UP_XBOX = A+<ref name=1UPXBOX>{{cite web|title=Halo 2 Review: Complete review, over 100 new screens, single-player video.|first=Matt|last=Leone|publisher=[[1Up.com]]|date=November 7, 2004|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/halo-2_2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024081448/http://www.1up.com/reviews/halo-2_2|archive-date=October 24, 2012|access-date=May 25, 2025}}</ref>
| 1UP_PC= C+<ref name="1UPPC">{{cite web|title=Halo 2 Review: Our review of an Xbox classic that's way too late on PC.|first=Sean|last=Molloy|publisher=[[1Up.com]]|date=June 15, 2007|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/halo-2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531204301/http://www.1up.com/reviews/halo-2|archive-date=May 31, 2016|access-date=May 25, 2025}}</ref>
| Edge_XBOX = 9/10<ref name=edgereview />
| GI_PC = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Biessener|first1=Adam|last2=Vore|first2=Bryan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103221428/https://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/92FC87D2-517B-46C5-BF3C-65BD1958351A.htm|archive-date=November 3, 2007|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/92FC87D2-517B-46C5-BF3C-65BD1958351A.htm|title=Halo 2|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|url-status=dead|access-date=October 6, 2021}}</ref>
| GI_XBOX = 10/10<ref name=gi />
| GSpot_PC = 7/10<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gerstmann, Jeff |date=May 26, 2007 |title=Halo 2 Review |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/halo-2/reviews/halo-2-review-6171591/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328040807/http://uk.gamespot.com/halo-2/reviews/halo-2-review-6171591/ |archive-date=March 28, 2012 |access-date=January 21, 2010 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>
| GSpot_XBOX = 9.4/10<ref name="gamespot-review" />
| GSpy_PC = {{rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web|last=Nguyen|first=Thierry|date=June 5, 2007|url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/halo-2/794460p1.html|title=Halo 2 For Windows Vista|website=[[GameSpy]]|access-date=October 6, 2021|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118111846/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/halo-2/794460p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| GSpy_XBOX = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="gamespyreview">{{Cite web |last=Tuttle, Will |date=November 9, 2004 |title=GameSpy ''Halo 2'' Review |url=http://uk.xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/halo-2/564301p1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031165741/http://uk.xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/halo-2/564301p1.html |archive-date=October 31, 2019 |access-date=February 10, 2007 |website=[[GameSpy]]}}</ref>
| IGN_PC = 7.5/10<ref>{{Cite web |last=Butts, Steve |date=June 5, 2007 |title=Halo 2 Review |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2007/06/06/halo-2-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106162019/http://uk.ign.com/articles/2007/06/06/halo-2-review |archive-date=November 6, 2015 |access-date=January 21, 2010 |website=IGN}}</ref>
| IGN_XBOX = 9.8/10<ref name="ignreview">{{Cite web |last=Perry, Douglass |date=November 7, 2004 |title=''Halo 2'' review at ''IGN'' |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/06/06/halo-2-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914071935/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/06/06/halo-2-review |archive-date=September 14, 2012 |access-date=February 10, 2007 |website=IGN}}</ref>
}}
<!-- overall impressions -->
''Halo 2'' received critical acclaim upon release. On review aggregate site [[Metacritic]], the Xbox version has an overall score of 95 out of 100.<ref name="metacritic">{{Cite web |title=''Halo 2'' (Xbox) Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/halo-2/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227122647/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/halo-2 |archive-date=December 27, 2012 |access-date=December 23, 2012 |website=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref> Critics judged it a worthy successor to the acclaimed ''Combat Evolved''.<ref name="gamespot-review" /><ref name="gamespyreview" /> ''[[GameSpot]]''{{'}}s [[Greg Kasavin]] wrote that the game successfully built on its predecessor's foundation, and despite shortcomings, the game's breadth of content made it one of the best action games available.<ref name="gamespot-review" />
<!-- graphics and audio -->
The game's audiovisual presentation was praised.<ref name="gi">{{Cite magazine |last=McNamara, Andy |title=''Halo 2'' review at ''Game Informer'' |url=http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/AF4EAEF7-1136-4985-82E0-EB6588130908.htm?CS_pid=210263 |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011045837/http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/AF4EAEF7-1136-4985-82E0-EB6588130908.htm?CS_pid=210263 |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |access-date=February 9, 2007}}</ref> Multiplayer especially was noted in being the best on Xbox Live at the time. ''Game Informer'', along with numerous other publications, rated it higher than ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', citing enhanced multiplayer and less repetitive gameplay. Most critics noted that ''Halo 2'' stuck with the formula that made its predecessor successful, and was alternatively praised and faulted for this decision. ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s review concluded that ''Halo 2'' could be summed up with a line from its script: "It's not a new plan. But we know it'll work."<ref name="edgereview">{{Cite magazine |year=2004 |editor-last=Mott |editor-first=Tony |title=Halo 2 review |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |___location=[[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing]] |issue=144 |pages=74–75}}</ref>
<!-- campaign -->
The game's campaign mode received some criticism for being too short,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ham, Tom |date=November 14, 2004 |title=Reviews: Halo 2 and Donkey Konga |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47150-2004Nov13.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807221813/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47150-2004Nov13.html |archive-date=August 7, 2007 |access-date=March 20, 2007 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> and for featuring an abrupt [[cliffhanger]] ending.<ref name="gamespot-review">{{Cite web |last=Kasavin, Greg |date=November 4, 2007 |title=''Halo 2'' for Xbox Review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/halo-2/reviews/halo-2-review-6112628/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225103937/http://www.gamespot.com/halo-2/reviews/halo-2-review-6112628 |archive-date=December 25, 2011 |access-date=February 10, 2007 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> ''GameSpot'' noted that although the story's switching between the Covenant and human factions made the plot more intricate, it distracted the player from Earth's survival and the main point of the game;<ref name="gamespot-review" /> while ''Edge'' labeled the plot "a confusing mess of fan-fiction sci-fi and bemusing ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones|Episode-II]]''-style politics."<ref name=edgereview /><ref name="ign-halo2_epilogue" />
<!-- multiplayer -->
<!-- awards -->
''Halo 2'' won multiple awards at the [[8th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], including "Console Game of the Year", "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Action Game of the Year|Console First-Person Action Game of the Year]]", "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Online Game of the Year|Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay]]" and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design|Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design]]", as well as nominations for "Outstanding Innovation in Console Gaming", and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Game of the Year|Game of the Year]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2005&idGame=106 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Halo 2 |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |website=interactive.org |access-date=18 September 2023}}</ref> The game received more than 38 individual awards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Halo 2'' – Awards |url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo2/awards.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626231116/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo2/awards.htm |archive-date=June 26, 2007 |access-date=February 12, 2007 |website=Xbox.com |publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref><!-- more awards --> It received runner-up placements in GameSpot's 2004 "Best Shooter", "Best Sound Effects" and "Best Original Music" categories across all platforms.<ref name="bestworst2004">{{Cite web |date=January 5, 2005 |title=Best and Worst of 2004 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2004/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050307021607/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2004/ |archive-date=March 7, 2005 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> The game was listed in [[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'s "The Greatest 200 Video Games of Their Time" in 2006.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=February 2006 |title=The Greatest 200 Video Games of Their Time |url=https://archive.org/details/electronicgamingmonthlyissue200feb2006600dpi/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20200%20%28Feb%202006%29%20%28Searchable%29/page/n83/mode/2up |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |___location=United States |publisher=EGM Media |issue=200 |pages=84 |access-date=April 12, 2021}}</ref><!-- ign best of 2004 https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/16/best-of-2004-awards-xbox -->
==Post-release==
===Updates and DLC===
<!-- https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/07/19/bungie-announces-autoupdate-4 https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/04/17/halo-2-forever-->
''Halo 2''{{'}}s multiplayer suffered from widespread [[cheating]] on release. Some players used "standbying" or "lag killing" to cheat, where the player hosting the game intentionally pressed the standby button on his or her modem. This resulted in all other players freezing in place and allowed the cheater to kill other players or capture objectives.<ref name="cheating in video games">{{Cite book |last=Consalvo, Mia |title=Cheating: Gaining Advantage in Videogames |publisher=MIT Press |year=2009 |isbn=978-0262033657}}</ref>{{rp|115}} Another exploit called "BXR" allowed players to cancel melee animations and quickly attack for an instant kill.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Totilo, Stephen |date=February 5, 2009 |title=The 5 Most Notorious Multiplayer Gaming Glitches |url=http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2009/02/05/the-5-most-notorious-multiplayer-gaming-glitches/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209074544/http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2009/02/05/the-5-most-notorious-multiplayer-gaming-glitches |archive-date=February 9, 2009 |access-date=February 9, 2009 |publisher=MTV}}</ref> Rather than rely solely on user reports of misbehavior, Bungie leveraged its game statistics collection to proactively find cheating players, creating an automated banning system.<ref name="bungie-one final effort">{{Cite web |last=Osborne, Eric |date=April 16, 2010 |title=One Final Effort |url=http://www.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=25650 |url-status=dead |website=Bungie.net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100419110046/http://www.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=25650 |archive-date=April 19, 2010}}</ref>
Bungie released several map packs for ''Halo 2'', adding new environments for multiplayer matches.<ref name="bungie-one final effort" /> The Multiplayer Map Pack, released July 5, 2005, made Xbox Live content and updates available to offline players. The disc contains the game's software update, nine new multiplayer maps, a making-of documentary, and a bonus cinematic called "Another Day on the Beach", among other features.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 5, 2005 |title=Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack (Xbox) |url=http://games.teamxbox.com/xbox/1137/Halo-2-Multiplayer-Map-Pack/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410024114/http://games.teamxbox.com/xbox/1137/Halo-2-Multiplayer-Map-Pack/ |archive-date=April 10, 2008 |access-date=February 9, 2008 |publisher=[[TeamXbox]]}}</ref> The Blastacular Map Pack contained two additional maps and released April 2007.<ref name="ign-halo 2 forever">{{Cite web |last=Goldstein |first=Hilary |date=April 17, 2007 |title=Halo 2 Forever! |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/04/17/halo-2-forever |access-date=March 25, 2021 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-date=April 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403074319/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/04/17/halo-2-forever |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Connor, Frank |date=March 30, 2007 |title=Bungie Weekly Update: Brand New Heavies |url=http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12324 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030205610/http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12324 |archive-date=October 30, 2019 |access-date=March 30, 2007 |publisher=[[Bungie]]}}</ref> On July 7 Bungie made the Blastacular Map Pack free.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Connor, Frank |date=July 6, 2007 |title=Bungie Weekly Update: 07/06/07 |url=http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12625 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006180213/http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12625 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=January 20, 2008 |publisher=[[Bungie]]}}</ref>
''Halo 2'' was one of the Xbox games that was [[backwards compatibility|backwards-compatible]] on the Xbox 360. On the newer console, the game runs at high-definition [[720p]] with scene-wide [[anti-aliasing]].<ref name="bungie.net-anniversary">{{Cite web |last=O'Connor, Frank |date=November 9, 2005 |title=Halo 2: One Year Later |url=http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=7139 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130717133508/http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=7139 |archive-date=July 17, 2013 |access-date=December 3, 2007 |publisher=[[Bungie]]}}</ref> The ability to download DLC for ''Halo 2'' was discontinued when support for original Xbox Live games was terminated in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peckham |first=Matt |date=April 15, 2010 |title=So Long and Thanks for Halo 2, Xbox LIVE |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/194323/so_long_and_thanks_for_halo_2_xbox_live.html/ |url-status=dead |access-date=May 4, 2021 |website=[[PC World]] |archive-date=October 30, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030003110/http://www.pcworld.com/article/194323/so_long_and_thanks_for_halo_2_xbox_live.html }}</ref>
===Ports and rereleases===
<!-- https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/05/25/master-chiefs-wardrobe-malfunction-->
In February 2006, Microsoft announced a PC port of ''Halo 2'', exclusively for the [[Windows Vista]] operating system. Like the Xbox version, the release of ''Halo 2 Vista'' was repeatedly delayed.<ref name="ign-woe is halo">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/03/woe-is-halo|title=Woe is Halo – IGN|date=May 3, 2006|access-date=January 14, 2021|archive-date=April 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409235253/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/03/woe-is-halo|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ign-halo2v pushed back">{{Cite web|url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/05/08/halo-2-pushed-back-a-bit|title = Halo 2 Pushed Back a Bit – IGN|date = May 8, 2007|access-date = January 14, 2021|archive-date = April 9, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210409235252/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/05/08/halo-2-pushed-back-a-bit|url-status = live}}</ref> The May 22, 2007, release date was pushed to May 31 after the discovery of partial nudity in the game's map editor—a photograph of Charlie Gough, one of the Lead Engineers, [[mooning]] [[Steve Ballmer]] during his visit to the studio, was presented as part of the ".ass" error message.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kuchera, Ben |date=April 14, 2015 |title=Mooning Steve Ballmer: How a Bungie dev's butt may have cost Microsoft $500K |url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/14/8382089/bungie-butt-microsoft-halo |access-date=January 27, 2021 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112034047/https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/14/8382089/bungie-butt-microsoft-halo |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Graft, Kris |date=May 24, 2007 |title=Nudity the Cause for Halo 2 Vista Delay |url=http://www.edge-online.com/news/nudity-cause-halo-2-vista-delay/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080808230507/http://www.edge-online.com/news/nudity-cause-halo-2-vista-delay/ |archive-date=August 8, 2008 |access-date=July 13, 2007 |website=Next-Gen.biz |publisher=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]}}</ref> Microsoft offered patches to remove the nude content and revised the box ratings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thorsen, Tom |date=May 25, 2007 |title="Partial nudity" behind halo 2 delay? |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/partial-nudity-behind-halo-2-delay/1100-6235879/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904115713/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/partial-nudity-behind-halo-2-delay/1100-6235879/ |archive-date=September 4, 2014 |access-date=April 10, 2013 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> The game could be enabled to play on [[Windows XP]] through an unauthorized [[unofficial patch|third-party patch]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bramwell, Tom |date=June 26, 2007 |title=Vista games cracked to run on XP |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/vista-games-cracked-to-run-on-xp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405181427/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/vista-games-cracked-to-run-on-xp |archive-date=April 5, 2008 |access-date=March 20, 2008 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |publisher=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref> ''Halo 2 Vista'' was ported by a small team at [[Microsoft Studios (game studio)|Microsoft Game Studios]] (codenamed Hired Gun) who worked closely with Bungie. As one of the launch titles of [[Games for Windows – Live]], the game offered Live features not available in the Xbox version, such as Guide support and [[Xbox network#Gamerscore|Achievements]]. The Windows port also added two exclusive multiplayer maps and a map editor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 6, 2007 |title=Halo 2 Q&A – Examining the New District Level |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/halo-2-qanda-examining-the-new-district-level/1100-6168750/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410120524/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/halo-2-qanda-examining-the-new-district-level/1100-6168750/ |archive-date=April 10, 2014 |access-date=June 28, 2009 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>
In January 2013, a blog post on [[Halo Waypoint]] indicated that online services for ''Halo 2 for Windows Vista'' would shut down on February 15, 2013. This date was pushed back multiple times, and the servers finally ceased operations in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-10-30 |title=The Halo Bulletin: 1.16.13 |url=http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/01/16/The-Halo-Bulletin-11613.aspx |access-date=2024-05-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030115014/http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/01/16/The-Halo-Bulletin-11613.aspx |archive-date=October 30, 2013 }}</ref>
A high-definition remaster of ''Halo 2'' titled ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' was released as part of ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'' on November 11, 2014, for the [[Xbox One]],<ref name="polygon-mcc review">{{Cite web |last=Gies |first=Arthur |title=Halo: The Master Chief Collection review: the library |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/11/7/7076007/halo-the-master-chief-collection-review-xbox-one |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141119013457/http://www.polygon.com/2014/11/7/7076007/halo-the-master-chief-collection-review-xbox-one |archive-date=November 19, 2014 |access-date=November 11, 2014 |website=Polygon |date=November 7, 2014 |publisher=[[Vox Media Inc.]]}}</ref> later being released on PC for [[Steam (service)|Steam]] and [[Windows Store]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jarrad |first=Brian |date=May 12, 2020 |title=Halo 2: Anniversary Available Now for PC with The Master Chief Collection |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2020/05/12/halo-2-anniversary-available-now-for-pc-with-the-master-chief-collection/ |access-date=March 11, 2022 |website=X-box |archive-date=April 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402142301/https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2020/05/12/halo-2-anniversary-available-now-for-pc-with-the-master-chief-collection/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Legacy ==
''Halo 2''{{'}}s release was part of a shift towards blockbuster gaming releases. In 2004, the video game industry was estimated to gross $7.76 billion in the United States, behind the $9.4 billion gross of the domestic box office.<ref name="cbc-birth of a nation halo 2" /><!-- figure out when that was eclipsed --> ''Halo 2''{{'}}s success was seen by the press as evidence of a generational shift in entertainment. The CBC's Greg Bolton remarked that prior to ''Halo 2''{{'}}s splashy release, "the video-game industry hadn’t yet found a recognizable public face, a universally acclaimed megastar."<ref name="cbc-birth of a nation halo 2" /> ''[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]]'' called ''Halo 2'' "the birth of the video game as we know it today: a mass shared experience," and credited it with birthing modern multiplayer infrastructure and popularizing American [[esports]].<ref name="theringer-h2 retrospective" />
''Halo 2''{{'}}s matchmaking technology was one of the turning points in the gaming industry during the 2000s, setting a new standard for other games.<ref name="theringer-h2 retrospective" /><ref name="complex-2004games">{{Cite web |last=Welch |first=Hanuman |date=March 27, 2014 |title=10 of the Most Influential Games Turning 10 in 2014 |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2014/03/ten-of-the-most-influential-games-turning-ten-in-2014/halo |access-date=January 13, 2021 |website=Complex |publisher=Complex Networks |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115101657/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2014/03/ten-of-the-most-influential-games-turning-ten-in-2014/halo |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="gamespot-mostinfluential">{{Cite web |last=Fillari |first=Alessandro |date=November 21, 2019 |title=Most Influential Games Of The 21st Century: Half-Life 2 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/most-influential-games-of-the-21st-century-half-li/1100-6466992/ |access-date=January 13, 2021 |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=Red Ventures |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116123449/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/most-influential-games-of-the-21st-century-half-li/1100-6466992/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="verge-h2aPCrelease">{{Cite web |last=Lyles |first=Taylor |date=May 5, 2020 |title=Halo 2: Anniversary arrives on PC May 12th |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/5/21248295/halo-2-anniversary-pc-date-master-chief-collection-microsoft-steam-xbox |access-date=January 14, 2021 |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=Vox Media |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116091724/https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/5/21248295/halo-2-anniversary-pc-date-master-chief-collection-microsoft-steam-xbox |url-status=live }}</ref> [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4]]'s Sterling McGarvey wrote that "Bungie's sequel was a shot in the arm for Xbox Live subscriptions and previewed many of the features that would set the standard for Microsoft's online service on the next machine".<ref name="g4tv-top games of the decade">{{Cite web |last=McGarvey, Sterling |date=December 23, 2009 |title=The First Decade: The Industry's Turning Points in the '00s |url=http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/701426/the-first-decade-the-industrys-turning-points-in-the-00s/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924051713/http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/701426/the-first-decade-the-industrys-turning-points-in-the-00s/ |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=December 24, 2009 |publisher=[[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4TV]]}}</ref> Critics credited the game with bringing online multiplayer to the console masses,<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 24, 2009 |title=Top 15 Events in the Past Decade of Gaming |url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/digital/gaming/4340492?page=3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629172028/http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/digital/gaming/4340492?page=3 |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |access-date=December 24, 2009 |website=[[Popular Mechanics]] |page=3}}</ref> and as serving as Xbox Live's [[killer app]].<ref name="ign-top100games_halo2">{{Cite web |last=McCaffrey |first=Ryan |date=October 18, 2019 |title=Top 100 Video Games of All Time: Halo 2 |url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-games/13 |access-date=January 13, 2021 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116113525/https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-games/13 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The Province]]''{{'}}s Paul Chapman wrote that games like ''[[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2]]'' would not be enjoyable if not for the ground ''Halo 2'' broke.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chapman, Paul |date=January 3, 2010 |title=Top games of the decade; These 10 titles changed the way we played |url=http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/news/etoday/story.html?id=043db8d1-4f52-4f82-ba5d-44f4b3d91fae&p=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524151621/http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/news/etoday/story.html?id=043db8d1-4f52-4f82-ba5d-44f4b3d91fae&p=1 |archive-date=May 24, 2012 |access-date=January 3, 2010 |publisher=[[Canwest]]}}</ref>
==References==
{{notelist}}
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Wikiquote|Halo 2|Halo 2}}
* {{official website|http://halo.bungie.net/projects/Halo2/|''Halo 2'' at Bungie}}
* {{official website|https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halo-2/xbox|''Halo 2'' at Halo Waypoint}}
* {{Halopedia|Halo_2|''Halo 2''}}
* {{IMDb title|tt0412799}}
{{Halo series}}
{{Bungie}}
{{Professional Halo competition}}
{{Portal bar|Video games}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Halo 2}}
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